The Sorceress: Blossoming Power

The animals ceased running as her dark aura faded. The creatures looked at each other and walked away like nothing happened. Some enjoyed the pasture and didn't mind leaving where they were.

Those within the mountain had waited outside the cave, including the snake, to receive further commands from her. Yet, she did not summon them to assist her. Thus, they stood still and observed the battle in silence but did not interfere.

When the chameleon ran off, they opened a path for him but kept their silence. They left the cave's entrance when Nianshi dashed away in the opposite direction. 

However, those outside where Ming slept, stayed. They waited for Xinyi to come out, to pay their respects to the Sorceress. It was because when Xinyi's powers manifested earlier, the animals clearly understood who she was.

----- o -----

(Hours before)

The spirit in charge of the Cave of Truth sensed the commotion with the one-sided fight between the winning chameleon and the losing Xinyi with the tiny beings. 

The spirit stared at Nianshi and pitied this great lion dragon for serving this present and weak Sorceress. It was also interested in how Nianshi would overcome his fear. 

"You must conquer your fear, dear dragon. Your new lady needs you badly." The spirit sighed and thought of watching the ongoing battle or battering by the chameleon at the frail 'Sorceress'.

Suddenly, it felt a terrifying aura, sending itself to almost kneel in awe at the monstrous presence.

"Ooh, this is interesting." It gazed around its space and made an eerie grin. It floated back and forth "I wonder how it will end." Until it couldn't contain its excitement and looked down at Nianshi. "Should I continue torturing you?" Then it snickered in a scarily. "Stay here, good lion."

It instantly disappeared, leaving Nianshi behind. Its interest was more on seeing how Xinyi might destroy the place. But before going to the ongoing battle inside, it went out to Ming first. It pitifully looked at the crouching fellow at a corner. There were smoke coming out from the remains of woods burning through the night. 

"Hmm, will I bring you to her?" It said so because it saw Ming in Xinyi's thoughts. It touched Ming's head and saw his dream. It was about Xinyi. The spirit laughed, watching at Ming having sweet dreams with his wife. 

"You're an important person to this Sorceress but you need to go through my space first and defeat your fear too, so you can assist her well in the future."  

It waved its hand up and saw Ming's sleeping face wrinkled as if having a nightmare. Its mouth curved up into a mischievous smile, contented with what it saw.

---- o ----

While the spirit was away, Nianshi woke and found himself in another scenario. He was no longer in the village but on top of a volcano. 

Smoke came out from the volcano's mouth as bubbling and popping red magma could be seen inside. Birds wouldn't venture to fly above it due to the searing heat that could kill them in a minute if they do.

"Where am I?" He analyzed the area and suddenly realized this was his birthplace. The proof were eggs and remnants of eggshells near where he stood.

"Why am I here?" This was a troubling matter. He was supposed to overcome his fear and understand how to fight it this time but why was he here?  "What's going on? Is this still part of the trial I needed to undergo in the cave or have I been sent back in time?'

Suddenly the volcano started to burst; He had to run away far from the place. He flapped open his wings but as he tried to fly off, he couldn't advance higher. Nianshi looked back and blurted, "Oh no!" because he saw his wings shrunk. 

Then his eyes went to his feet and other parts of his body... and noticed that his wings weren't the only thing that became small. He couldn't run fast because of his tiny paws and body. Nianshi panicked. The feeling of helplessness plagued him.

Ashes began covering his vision. Hot magma began overflowing from the crater. Nianshi went in a frenzy looking at the running, burning lava because it would reach him soon. The only thing he could think of at that moment was to escape and to get to a safe place. 

Alas, he saw a cliff that led to only god knows where. He decided jumping down was a better option than turning into a roasted lion dragon. As he neared the cliff, he looked down one last time before leaping. It was nothing but a dark abyss with tiny specks of unknown glowing objects. 

He knew there was no time to be hesitant. "It's now or never!" He jumped praying that whatever maybe below would be soft and safe. As he reached the bottom, water splashed all over him. 

It was a lake, a huge peaceful looking lake. The tiny glowing things he had seen from above were reflections of the stars. 

He tilted his head upward, inspecting if he was safe from the fiery threat of the volcano. However, there was no volcano, no lava rushing down, nor ashes enveloping the air. There was nothing harmful in sight. 

Nianshi swam to the shore and shook dry his hairs on his body and gaped as he noticed his reflection on the water. He had turned into a lion cub and had no inkling how and why it happened. All he could remember was he was undergoing the test in the Cave of Truth.

"Wait. What Cave of Truth?" He gasped in confusion. Slowly his mind played tricks on him. Unknowingly, his mind was all juggled up; The result of the cave's spirit's absence.